Focal Releases Two New “Alpha Evo” Monitors
New affordable Focal monitors offer 5-inch and 6.5-inch drivers
Focal has announced that it is shipping the new Alpha Evo monitors, Alpha 50 Evo, and Alpha 65 Evo. These replace the current Focal Alpha 50 and 65 models in that range, while the current Alpha 80 are still available. The two new Focal Alpha Evo products are available at retailers in the US and Canada on March 25, 2021, and have suggested retail prices of Alpha 50 Evo $349. USD each, and Alpha 65 Evo $449. USD each.
CEntrance “DACport Pro” Connects Laptops to Mixers
Portable USB DAC with XLR outputs delivers consistent playback on any sound system
CEntrance is now shipping DACport Pro™, a portable D/A converter, headphone amplifier, and monitor controller for audio professionals. With the DACport Pro, CEntrance built on the success of its DACport HD, which was designed for HiFi enthusiasts and featured on Stereophile magazine’s recommended component list for many years. The professional version of the acclaimed portable DAC adds balanced XLR output jacks, a large monitor volume control knob, and LED VU meters. The new product offers HiFi sound quality to the professional audio community and underscores the company’s focus on both user groups. The new CEntrance DACport Pro is shipping now and retails for $369.99 USD.
Focal Releases “Clear Mg Professional” Headphones
New updated model of popular Focal headphone now uses magnesium cone for even greater dynamics
Montreal, Canada — Focal has announced that it is shipping the new Focal Clear Mg Professional headphones (“Clear Magnesium Professional”), a new model of their popular Clear Professional headphones but with the addition of a magnesium (Mg) cone for even greater dynamics with a remarkable tonal balance across the full audio spectrum. The new product is available at retailers in the US and Canada on February 16, 2021, and has a suggested retail price of $1,490. USD.
Immersive Art Experience Revealed in Paris: Renowned Writer ‘Maurice Genevoix’ Enters The Panthéon
A unique sonic technology, Made in France by Amadeus, drives the monumental new artistic work recently revealed in Paris at the Panthéon by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic
On November 11, 2020, a unique sonic technology made in France by Amadeus was revealed in a new artistic work during the ceremony presided over by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, to celebrate the renowned French writer Maurice Genevoix as he was entered into the Panthéon
Within the scope of the Armistice Day commemorations, French author Maurice Genevoix, who wrote the tetralogy Ceux de 14 (“The Men of 1914” about World War I), joined other luminary writers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Dumas, Hugo, and Malraux, along with revered figures from culture, science, and politics in France’s secular temple, the Panthéon. For the celebration, the President of the French Republic commissioned a work from two major figures of the contemporary art scene, the German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer, and the French composer Pascal Dusapin. This is the first public commission for the Panthéon since 1923.
Read More »SPL Ships ‘Control One’ and ‘Marc One’ Monitor Controllers
SPL of Germany has shipped the “Control One” ($599.) and “Marc One” ($799.) monitor controllers from their new affordable “Series One” product line. The SPL line of products is distributed by Focal-Naim America in the US and Canada.
The SPL Control One is the ideal monitor controller for the modern studio. As a high-quality analog control center, it manages audio sources and monitor speakers including subwoofer. In addition, the device features an individually adjustable high-quality headphone amplifier with Phonitor Matrix. Thanks to the various monitoring modes, no sound detail remains undiscovered.
Read More »SPL Announces New “Series One”
True to the motto “Number One In Sound”, SPL of Germany has developed a new product line that combines the sound of their big devices with a desktop-friendly design and an affordable price for the ambitious user. The Series One was equally developed for professional recording studios, home studios, musicians, music lovers, and media creatives of all kinds. The first two Series One devices, Phonitor One ($499.) and Phonitor One d ($699.) – both headphone amplifiers — are now shipping. More devices of the new Series One will be announced soon. The SPL line of products is distributed by Focal-Naim America in the US and Canada.
Krug, IRCAM & Amadeus Create Immersive ‘Audio Tasting Space’
The innovative space with the iconic Champagne House was conceived by the international architecture and interior design agency AW2, in collaboration with Amadeus, designer and manufacturer of high-end electroacoustic systems
The House of Krug has taken another step in creating new and immersive tasting experiences for its guests by collaborating with France’s IRCAM Institute, Amadeus, and the renowned international architecture and interior design agency AW2 to create a new ‘Audio Tasting Room’ at the Krug Family House in Reims, France.
A CHALLENGE FROM THE HOUSE OF KRUG: Since 1843, the House of Krug has explored new ways to enrich the tasting experience. While Music has always been at its heart, the current endeavor was spurred by recent research further affirming the impact of hearing on taste, including the work carried out by Charles Spence and Janice Qian Wang of Oxford University‘s Cross-modal Research Laboratory. This led the House to push the boundaries of immersive tastings through its collaboration with the IRCAM.
Read More »CEntrance Announces “PortCaster”
Portable broadcast device makes call-in “talk radio” shows a breeze
CEntrance today announced the launch of PortCaster™, a portable live-streaming and recording tool. The new handheld device fills an important gap for podcasters and radio program hosts who need to add music, effects, and either a local or a remote call-in guest to their “talk radio”-style show. Based on the MixerFace, the company’s acclaimed mobile recording interface, the new product is designed for recording or live-streaming a broadcast to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms.
Read More »SPL Releases New “Phonitor se”
New ‘Phonitor se’ headphone amp is now shipping in two models, one with an SPL DAC
SPL of Germany has announced the new ‘Phonitor se’ headphone amp is now shipping in two models, one with an SPL DAC. The new model is an entry into the SPL “Professional Fidelity” Phonitor world. The SPL line of products is distributed by Focal-Naim America in the US and Canada.
The Phonitor se features the same audio signal amplification as its bigger brothers Phonitor x and Phonitor xe and therefore – thanks to SPL’s VOLTAiR technology – offers the same sound experience. Of course, the high-quality look and feel is maintained. Playback of analog signals are via an unbalanced stereo RCA input and for digital players, via the optional DAC768xs.
Read More »Musicians Rely on CEntrance to Live Stream During Quarantine
From LA to Dubai, artists around the world use MixerFace to reach their fans
As the music world stopped touring, musicians started streaming, and CEntrance, makers of the portable audio interface called MixerFace, found itself helping artists all over the globe to stream online. A great match for major online streaming platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, MixerFace upgrades the sound quality of smartphones and tablets based on iOS and Android. Using either built-in XY microphones or full-on home studio setups, MixerFace connects artists to their fans, with stunning audio quality.
When Quincy Jones called guitarist Jake Morelli (Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, The Roots) for a 3-month R&B gig in Dubai, Morelli (IG – @JMotone) couldn’t have anticipated getting stuck there in the middle of the residency. The club got closed and air traffic disappeared, so Morelli couldn’t return home to his family. Fortunately, he had the MixerFace with him and has been recording, communicating, and live streaming with it every day. “While quarantined in Dubai,” said Morelli, “I worked on several online collaborations—because an artist must create art, even under the most challenging circumstances. I’ve done projects remotely with drummer Daru Jones, eclectic UK artist Ivy Channel, bass pioneer Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and vocalist Rogelio Douglas Jr.” “I really cannot say enough great things about this little device” adds Morelli, “except that my guitar and bass have never sounded better! There is some serious mojo going on here. And if you plug in the CEntrance Pivot Mics, the exquisite detail that is picked up from vocals, or an entire band are simply astounding.”
See YouTube video of one collaboration: https://tinyurl.com/Jake-Morelli